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The afternoon of the next day, I headed to the factory where my father worked.
"Is Section Chief Cha Yeongho in?"
"Who might you be?"
"I'm his son."
I had to suit up in a cleanroom bunny suit and steam myself off before they let me through to where Dad was. Near the production lines stood a tiny room partitioned off by a thin wall.
"Juhan, what brings you here?"
Dad, who had been tapping away at his calculator, looked up and broke into a wide grin. It had been so long since I'd seen him alive and breathing like this. A wave of emotion surged up, nearly bringing tears to my eyes, so I turned away for a moment.
Dad passes away from a heart attack two years from now.
"What brings me? I just wanted to see you, Dad."
"Never heard that from you before in your life. You eat something bad?"
He grumbled, but it was clear he was pleased.
"It's the weekend—why not rest at home instead of coming all the way here?"
"No, I rested and then came. If you're not too busy, let's move somewhere else, Dad. There's something I need to tell you."
Dad had worked as a laborer since his youth, but after years of service, he'd risen to a managerial role. Even so, whenever things got hectic, he'd jump into the production line himself. He couldn't stand by and watch workers half his age struggle, he'd say. But that's what led to his agonizing two years with arthritis.
Back then, the only hope for arthritis sufferers was Antrozol from Wooshin Group's affiliate, Myeonghwa Pharmaceuticals. Released domestically just a year prior, it exploded in popularity the following year with miraculous results. Myeonghwa went public on the back of it and drew global attention. But soon after, patients started dropping dead from heart attacks—the drug's deadly side effect.
"So, what's this you want to say?"
We'd returned to my parents' home. Mom was humming as she peeled fruit, grinning from ear to ear, her shoulders shaking with joy like she'd won the lottery.
How long had it been since I'd made them this happy?
Cherish the time you have. I'd lived by those words my whole life.
After Dad's heart attack, Mom fell ill soon after and passed. Sitting here chatting with them was a luxury I hadn't had in seven years.
"Dad, quit your job and rest now."
"That again?"
After becoming a prosecutor, I'd urged him to leave the factory. He was getting on in years, and I could finally support them fully. But he always insisted he'd work till retirement.
"You'll really ruin your health like that."
"Honey, listen to Juhan. The doctor said overdoing it could bring on arthritis."
"I told you I'm fine. No way till you're married, you rascal."
Dad was stubborn as ever. I knew it wouldn't be easy. Part of me wanted to blurt out that I'd come back from ten years in the future, that he'd die of a heart attack in two—but who would believe that?
No chance.
"Dad, you don't need to earn anymore. I'll make plenty now."
"You? On a prosecutor's salary? You taking bribes or something?"
Dad's face hardened.
"No. Actually, I got scouted by a big law firm. I'm joining them."
"What? That's ridiculous!"
His reaction was just as I'd expected. Above all, he took pride in having a prosecutor for a son.
"I've been thinking about it for a while. Contract's already signed. You know Taegwang Law Firm, right?"
"Oh my, Taegwang scouted you?"
"Yeah. They pay nearly ten times what I make now. So please, think it over."
He wouldn't quit unless money worries were off the table. Telling the truth about opening my own office would backfire, so a white lie it was. Taegwang was famous enough that even my parents had heard of it. This should ease their minds.
Mom was thrilled, but Dad sank into thought.
"You haven't submitted your resignation yet?"
"I have. Signed the contract too."
"Such a big decision without consulting your father..."
"Oh, come on, honey. It's great news! Taegwang pays a fortune. Let Juhan do what he wants. Mom supports you, son."
Mom, worried Dad might blow up, steered the conversation to a close. He wasn't one to bend easily, after all.
"Is money that important to you?"
"It's not about money—Juhan wants this."
"You choosing this for the cash? To make me quit? We weren't rich, but we never went hungry. If it's about money, withdraw that resignation!"
"No. Prosecuting just doesn't suit me. It's a fit issue."
"Hmph."
Dad seemed to have no retort once I framed it that way.
"See? Ease up. The boy's saying it doesn't fit him—why push?"
"Yeah, so Dad, you quit too. I know you're saving for my wedding. No need anymore."
"..."
"You said once I'm married, you'd sell this place and move to the countryside. Do that. I'll help if you need."
"No need, rascal. Your old man's got savings. Won't take a dime from you."
Progress. His mind was shifting.
"Don't worry, Juhan. Your dad worked for your wedding, nothing else. He's been complaining about his joints anyway—perfect timing. Speaking of, had dinner? Anything you crave?"
"Doenjang jjigae."
Mom's cooking. God knows how long since I'd had it.
"Just doenjang stew? Want more? I'll make anything, my boy."
"...No, that's fine."
Just talking with her again was enough.
* * *
Time at home flew like a dream. Mom deboning fish onto my rice bowl, Dad sliding meat dishes my way, insisting they were delicious. If this happiness could last forever, I could do anything.
"Juhan, take some kimchi. Oh, and you loved nakji-jang—want some of that too?"
"I'm good. I barely eat at home anyway."
"That was prosecutor life. Law firm should give you more time, right?"
"Nah, lawyers are just as busy."
"Really? Still, take some..."
Unable to refuse as she kept stuffing a paper bag, I just took it.
They watched till I laced up my shoes at the door.
"I'm off."
"Yeah, come again, Juhan. Family meals like this are the best."
"Sure."
"Go on. And work... yeah, I'll do as you say."
I'd braced for days of nagging, but he'd relented. What a relief.
"Thank you, Dad."
"No need for thanks."
"Really going now. I'll book a health check—please go."
His arthritis would hit in months, but it might already be starting. Treat it early, keep him off Antrozol.
"I said I got it—how many times? I'm fine, but call your mom more."
"I'll check in often. Goodnight."
"We'll watch you leave."
Bag in hand from Mom, I boarded the elevator. She waved relentlessly through the closing doors.
"Hoo."
A heavy sigh escaped as the doors shut. Seeing my parents made the mysteries around me hit harder.
I'd thought it'd weaken me. Wrong. This joy, stolen by Wooshin's tyranny from me and every victim—this fueled my fire against them more.
I knew the next decade's events, Wooshin Group's core secrets from my investigations. Even this unbelievable power.
This time, I won't fail.
The tasks ahead, people to meet, assets to seize. Everything to protect.
Since crashing into 2008, I'd meticulously planned. Now, I sorted them once more in my mind.
It's go time.